Dinghy clean up

[boapiu]

I recently got an inflatable dinghy and the bottom was covered in barnacles and other detris from apparently lying in seawater for some time. I scraped most of this off but there is still some residue remaining and also lots of other dirt and filth from a total lack of care by the previous owner. Anyone have suggestions as to cleaning the sea creature residue from the bottom material and otherwise making the dinghy a bit more presentable as well as shipshape? ps. she is mine now, such as she is, and I would like to keep her well maintained and functional. Repair wise and all manner of operational capability, the boat is fine. She just looks a mess. Thanks.

 

[kimelmore]

I used a plastic scraper and a harder bristle brush to get most of it off. After a horrible Sunday afternoon spent cleaning the bottom of the inflatable I decided to get smart. I put two coats of spray on car wax and then a coat of good paste wax on the bottom. We can now leave the dingy in the water for up to 3 weeks and it tales less than an hour to clean everything off and apply another coat of wax

 

[Kings Gambit]

I recently got an inflatable dinghy and the bottom was covered in barnacles and other detris from apparently lying in seawater for some time. I scraped most of this off but there is still some residue remaining and also lots of other dirt and filth from a total lack of care by the previous owner. Anyone have suggestions as to cleaning the sea creature residue from the bottom material and otherwise making the dinghy a bit more presentable as well as shipshape? ps. she is mine now, such as she is, and I would like to keep her well maintained and functional. Repair wise and all manner of operational capability, the boat is fine. She just looks a mess. Thanks.

Wet or soak a rag in vinegar [or diluted glacial acetic acid; e.g., 10 ml GAC in 90 ml water] and wipe the bottom with it a few times, then let sit for 15 or 20 min. Perhaps, use a rubber glove. After that, rub with a scotch-brite pad while rinsing w/ fresh water. Repeat. After a couple of rounds you'll know if more applications are needed.

 

[tbilyeu]

Muriatic acid works the best. This is HCL. Use 1 cup per bucket. Careful: very caustic.

 

[boapiu]

thanks for the replies. I remember finding a mask on the bottom while scuba diving and it was civered in crud. the dive instructor told me to soak it in vinegar and it would be like new. it worked. however, no way to soak this surface. I did get the topsides cleaned up nice with a chlorine based bathroom spray. surprisingly, the dinghy is actually white, not grey. after my shoulders recover from the scrubbing I may give the bottom another go with the vinegar.

 

[DougM]

Try using Sno Bowl or equivalent.

 

[Ragbaggers]

I use Bar Keepers Friend cleanser and a terry cloth.
Works great and inexpensive.